English actress Hannah Murray, who plays Gilly on HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” is in talks for a key role in Kathryn Bigelow‘s untitled true crime drama set amid the Detroit riots, TheWrap has exclusively learned.
Bigelow is directing from a script by fellow Oscar winner Mark Boal, whose script explores systemic racism in urban Detroit. The duo behind “The Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty” will also produce with Megan Ellison and Matthew Budman of Annapurna Pictures, which is financing the project.
Although specific plot details, as well as Murray’s character, are being kept under wraps, the film is set against the backdrop of Detroit’s devastating riots that took place over five haunting summer days in 1967.
Production is expected to start this summer and the film is targeting a 2017 release in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the riots.
Murray broke out playing Cassie Ainsworth on the hit British TV series “Skins” before joining “Game of Thrones.” Her feature credits include Tim Burton‘s “Dark Shadows,” Stuart Murdoch’s musical “God Help the Girl” and the indie movie “Bridgend,” which recently made waves at Tribeca. She’s represented by UTA, Management 360 and London-based agency Troika.
Annapurna is coming off Richard Linklater‘s charming college comedy “Everybody Wants Some!!” and its upcoming films include Todd Solondz’s “Wiener-Dog,” Ana Lily Amirpour‘s “The Bad Batch,” Mike Mills’ “20th Century Women” and Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg‘s raunchy animated movie “Sausage Party.”